Agency delivers major update on plans for 900 homes in Limerick

THE LAND Development Agency (LDA) has given firm timelines around its plans to deliver almost 900 homes across Limerick.

The agency was set up almost six years ago, with the aim of delivering fast-track housing on State-owned lands.

But here in Limerick, not a single home has been completed.

This week, executives from the LDA gave updates on its plans to metropolitan district councillors.

Phelim O’Neill, the LDA’s head of property revealed that a development of 81 apartments and duplexes near Castletroy Town Centre will be ready by October this year.

These will be designated as ‘cost rental’ which means the rent tenants will pay will be 25% below what others in the Castletroy area pay.

The scheme is aimed at the ‘squeezed middle’ - those who earn above the income threshold for social housing but struggle to afford traditional private rents.

Elsewhere, he said that it’s anticipated that 183 affordable housing units will begin to be constructed in Mungret by the end of this year.

Mr O’Neill told the meeting that, contrary to what has been stated in the LDA’s own presentation, every single one of the 183 new homes in the village will be designated as affordable for sale, as opposed to cost-rental.

This scheme sees first-time buyers able to avail of a reduction on the price of a house.

Meanwhile, around 240 houses are planned for the former gasworks site at O’Curry Street in the city.

Ervia, the site’s current owners are reaching the final stages of decontaminating that site.

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A design team is being appointed shortly, and it’s anticipated a planning application for the homes will be made this time next year, Mr O’Neill told councillors.

Similarly, at the former Guinness site in Lower Carey’s Road, a planning application is expected be made in 12 months to develop 255 houses here.

And a design team is to be put in place in the next three months for 140 homes on the premises of St Joseph’s Hospital in Mulgrave Street.

This forms the first phase of an overall masterplan to bring 600 homes to the area eventually.